As a doctor, I can attest that there is a strong connection between emotional health and physical health. In fact, emotions are often the elephant in the room when it comes to our overall well-being. We tend to focus on factors such as diet, exercise, genetics, and medical treatments when we think about health, but we forget to consider the impact our emotions have on our bodies.
Let me tell you a story about cancer that highlights the importance of addressing emotional health. Dr. Hammer, an oncologist in Germany, was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Instead of opting for the standard treatment of chemotherapy, he chose to explore the emotional factors that could have contributed to his illness. Specifically, he investigated how the death of his son, who was murdered, affected him emotionally. Dr. Hammer discovered that he was carrying a lot of rage and anger over his son’s death, which was manifesting as cancer in his body.
Dr. Hammer decided to go to therapy to work through his emotions and let go of the anger he was holding onto. After a year, he went back for tests, and to his surprise, his cancer was gone. He started to apply this same approach to his patients who had cancer. He would ask them about their emotions and recommend therapy to help them work through any emotional trauma they were carrying. Many of these patients also saw their cancer disappear. Dr. Hammer’s success in treating cancer with therapy did not sit well with his colleagues, who preferred the traditional approach of chemotherapy. As a result, they kicked him out of their practice and even the country. Dr. Hammer went to Spain and wrote a book called the “German New Medicine” to share his findings with the world.
This story illustrates the power of emotions in affecting our physical health. The emotional aspects of cancer, and other illnesses, are enormous, and we must address them if we want to achieve lasting health. Our emotions can manifest in our bodies as physical symptoms, and if left unaddressed, can lead to serious illnesses. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention to our emotions and work through any emotional traumas we may be carrying.
In conclusion, emotional health is just as important as physical health, if not more so. We must take the time to address our emotions and work through any traumas that we may have experienced. Doing so can help us achieve lasting health and prevent illnesses such as cancer. Remember that your emotional health is not something to ignore, but something to prioritize in your overall wellness plan.
Dr. Scott Saunders MD
